Faculty for Sport and Physical Education;
University of Montenegro,
Montenegro

Stevo Popovic is a professor at the University of Montenegro with more than fifteen years of academic and research experience in the fields of health, exercise science, and human performance. His work is particularly focused on the planning, execution, and evaluation of research studies aimed at understanding the effects of physical activity on health outcomes, ranging from large-scale population studies to controlled clinical trials. As a sports and exercise scientist, he applies multidisciplinary knowledge to help individuals and communities improve their physical fitness, overall health, and well-being. His scientific curiosity is complemented by a strong background in physical anthropology, which provides him with a comprehensive understanding of how physical activity shapes the human body, its composition, and its functional capabilities. In addition, his interest in social anthropology enables him to examine the social and cultural dimensions of health behaviors, physical activity patterns, and related public health issues.

He earned his PhD from the University of Novi Sad, where he developed his early research expertise, and later completed postdoctoral training at the University of Ljubljana, further strengthening his methodological skills and international academic experience. Throughout his career at the University of Montenegro, he has taught numerous courses and contributed to curriculum development in sport sciences. His academic work has allowed him to cultivate key competencies in course design, project leadership, data management, study design, and effective dissemination of scientific findings through both written publications and oral presentations.

In addition to his teaching and research duties, he holds several leadership roles in national and international research projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and partner institutions. He also serves in governing bodies of professional and scientific organizations, contributing to strategic planning, professional development initiatives, and the advancement of health and exercise science at both regional and international levels.

Faculty of Sports Sciences;
Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University
Turkey

Prof. Selcuk Akpinar is presently employed at Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University within the Faculty of Sports Sciences, serving as a dean. His academic journey began with the completion of his bachelor's degree with honors (attaining the first rank position) at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. Initially designated as a Physical Education Teacher by the Ministry of Education, he fulfilled this role for a duration of two years. Pursuing further education, he followed a master's degree at Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, where he transitioned into a research assistant position. Subsequently, he pursued his doctoral studies at Middle East Technical University, with a focus on motor learning and control studies. During this time, he undertook a visiting scholar role at Penn State University in the United States for a year and a half, followed by a six-month post-doctoral position. At Penn State, he contributed to research in a motor control laboratory, investigating the impact of sports training participation on motor lateralization.

Upon completing his doctorate, he relocated to Nevsehir and was promoted to the position of Associate Professor by the Higher Education Council of Türkiye in December 2017. Further recognition followed, as Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University elevated him to the rank of full professor in February 2023. His primary research interests encompass motor lateralization in sports and equine-assisted activities, arm selection, motor learning and pedagogy, and body composition.

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”;
Sapienza University of Rome
Italy

Maria Chiara Gallotta is an Associate Professor and teaches Teaching Methods and Didactics in Physical Activity at Sapienza University of Rome. She obtained her Ph.D. in Movement Sciences at UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal. Her research is mainly focused on investigating the effects of coordinative physical exercise on health, fitness, cognitive abilities, academic performance, and motor performance in children and adolescents. She has published books and scientific articles on the topic of physical exercise for the health and well-being of individuals. She also serves as a reviewer for several scientific journals.

Faculty of Educational Sciences;
Goce Delcev University
Stip, North Macedonia

Prof. Dr. Biljana Popeska is a Professor at the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Goce Delcev University in Stip, Republic of North Macedonia where she teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She leads the PE teacher education disciplines at Faculty of Educational Sciences. Her primary research interest is in the Physical education for primary education, QPE, Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE), sport pedagogy, motor development of children, and holistic learning through physical education. Dr. Popeska has presented her research and work in different scientific international conferences worldwide and published her work in scientific and professional publications including international journals and proceedings. She also has an extensive project experience, working as an expert in more than 15 applied and research projects aimed at enhancing the quality of PE, PETE and promotion of health and wellbeing of students.

Prof. Popeska has been active in different international associations and networks working in advocacy for physical education, Quality PE, support for professional development of PE teachers, and promoting physical activity and an active lifestyle among students and in schools. In this role, she is holding positions on the Executive Board of the European Physical Education Association (EUPEA), Assistant national delegate for FIEPS Europe, Board member of the World Physical Education Alliance (WPEA). She is also a member of the International Network for Sport and Health Sciences (INSHS), and the European Primary PE Network (EPPEN), and serves as a national representative for the Association of Global Community Health (GCH) and the FLV program.

At national level, Dr. Popeska is a board member of the Federation of Sports Pedagogues of Macedonia and represents Goce Delcev University at the Federation for University Sport in Macedonia. For ten years, until 2023, she served as the Head of the University Sport and Cultural Center at Goce Delcev University, where she was responsible for promoting a vibrant sports culture at the university.

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (FTVŠ UK) in Bratislava.

Dr. Gabriela Luptáková, PhD., is a leading expert in Physical Education (PE) and sport pedagogy, recognized for her extensive experience in curriculum innovation and international academic leadership. She holds a PhD in Sport Educology from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (FTVŠ UK) in Bratislava. Dr. Luptáková serves as an Assistant Professor at FTVŠ UK, where she teaches subjects related to PE pedagogy and didactics, including General Didactics. She is also the Faculty CEEPUS Coordinator, managing the university’s participation in the Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS) network. Her practical teaching experience spans international school contexts, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme’s Primary Years (PYP) and Middle Years (MYP) levels. Nationally, she has advised on curriculum as a member of the expert group for the “Health and Movement” educational area at the National Institute of Education and Youth (NIVAM). Internationally, Dr. Luptáková holds a key leadership role within the International Federation of Physical and Sports Education (FIEPS). She has served as the Chair of the European section of “FIEPS New Leaders” since 2015 and was appointed General Secretary for Europe in January 2025. Her research focuses on effective PE teaching methods, having been a principal or key investigator on grants covering tandem teaching, new technologies, Game-Based Approaches, and the quality of PE in health support.

Her expertise is further enhanced by significant international mobility, including a teaching internship at the Tingkærskolen in Denmark, an Erasmus+ study at Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences in Finland, and an internship at the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) in Berlin. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized with the FIEPS Thulin Award (Young Researchers) in 2020 and the title of “World Physical Education Ambassador” in 2023.

Faculty of Pedagogy
National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski”,
Sofia, Bulgaria

Eleonora Mileva is a Professor in Pedagogy and Sport Pedagogy at the Department of Psychology, Pedagogy, and Sociology at the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski” in Sofia, Bulgaria. She graduated from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and completed a specialization at the German Sport University in Cologne. She obtained her Ph.D. from the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski” and subsequently defended a second doctoral dissertation at the University of Veliko Tarnovo.
Prof. Mileva teaches a wide range of courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and conducts seminars and professional development programs for physical education teachers, sport coaches, and instructors. She is also the Head of the master’s program Youth Activities and Sport.
She has been invited as a guest lecturer at numerous universities across Europe. Prof. Mileva serves as an expert on youth activities and sport in national and European committees and working groups. She is a member of the editorial boards of several international scientific journals in the fields of education, physical education, sport, and kinesitherapy.
Her scholarly output includes monographs, textbooks, teaching materials, and more than 250 scientific articles and conference papers in the fields of sport pedagogy and physical education, published in peer-reviewed academic journals. She regularly participates in major international scientific forums, including congresses of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), European and World Congresses of the International Federation of Physical and Sport Education (FIEPS), AIESEP, Pre-Olympic congresses and numerous conferences and symposia across the Balkan region.

Prof. Mileva has contributed as an expert to UNESCO international studies and has participated in various scientific and educational projects related to physical education and sport. She is a member of several prominent international organizations in these fields. Her contributions to scientific research and to the promotion of physical education and sport have been recognized with prestigious awards.

The 20th FIEPS European Congress (30 April – 2 May 2026, Tirana & Elbasan) brings together experts to explore innovation, inclusion, and sustainability in physical education and sport across Europe.